President Bola Tinubu has urged for increased regional integration amongst the member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) during the 2nd Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament 2023 held in Abuja.
Represented by Deputy Senate President Jibirn Barau at the event, Tinubu emphasized the pivotal role of regional integration in driving the advancement of Africa.
The session, scheduled from Nov. 22 to Dec. 15, 2023, also includes activities such as the swearing-in of new parliamentarians and discussions on critical issues segmented among committees, including Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources, Health, Legal Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment.
Expressing optimism, Tinubu highlighted the significance of the discussions in shaping the future and serving as an inspiration for generations to come.
Addressing the parliamentarians, Tinubu underscored the importance of representing the aspirations and hopes of the West African people, particularly those who have endured significant hardships and deprivations.
He commended the exceptional leadership exhibited by the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, recognizing the efforts to foster cross-regional cooperation and integration, strengthen democracy, and protect the rights to freedom and justice in the region.
Tinubu lauded the achievements of ECOWAS in connecting major cities through highways, bridging the gap between Francophone and Anglophone countries, and advocated for even greater cooperation and integration among African nations, emphasizing the need to take charge of their destiny and work collectively to address challenges.
Comparing to the European Economic Community, Tinubu emphasized the necessity for greater collaboration and integration in addressing Africa’s unique challenges, highlighting the imperative nature of integration in shaping a lasting legacy for future generations.
He urged drawing inspiration from the European Union’s model and striving for the advancement of West Africa, underscoring the pursuit of integration and development as crucial for the region’s progress.
Furthermore, the session will focus on the 2024 Consolidated Community Budget and the progress of ECOWAS Integration and Development Programme.
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